Chalk one up for the good guys.

Same-sex marriage will continue to be legal in Massachusetts, after proponents Thursday won a monthslong battle to defeat a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as between a man and a woman.

"In Massachusetts today, the freedom to marry is secure," Gov. Deval Patrick said after the legislature voted 151-45 against the amendment, which needed 50 favorable votes to come before voters in a referendum in November 2008.

The vote means that opponents would have to start from square one to sponsor a new amendment, which could not get onto the ballot before 2012.

Massachusetts is the only state where same-sex marriage is legal, although four states allow civil unions. California allows domestic partnerships, which carry many of the same benefits of civil unions. (Source)